The Marines in China before WW II were issued candy (Baby Ruths, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) as part of their their ration supplements. At the time, sugar and other assorted sweets were rare commodities in China and much in demand by the Chinese, so the troops found the candy useful for barter in town.

The tern comes from the word Poge which is used by military personnel to describe someone who is not infantry such as administration, clerical or supply. In the Marine Corps it is used to describe anyone not having an MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) of 03**. Example: 0311 is basic infantry. Pogey Bait is anything that does not fall under the typical field rations and used to describe something store bought. The term is used to suggest that store bought food might be used to lure Poges (admin or clerical personnel) away from their desk jobs and out into the field.